The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
(A company limited by guarantee)
Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Company Number 1724935 Charity Number 288243
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited Company Information 31 March 2024
Chair Kirk Martin Secretary Charlotte Fleming Treasurer Henry Rayment
Independent Examiner Caron Webster Bankers NatWest Bank, 34 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8NL Reg. Office 23 Redway Drive, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 7NT Company Number 1724935
Charity Number 288243
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Report and Financial Statements
31 March 2024
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees and Council of Management | 1- 4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet |
7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 9 |
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees, who are also directors of the company present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Objectives and activities
The main objects of the charitable company are to restore and preserve canal narrow boats and exhibit them for the benefit of the public and where possible to promote the use of such boats in commercial carrying in order to enhance the character of the inland waterways of the United Kingdom and as examples of the tradition of canal carrying and the way of life associated therewith.
The Charities Act 2011 describes a number of charitable purposes, one of which is the advancement of heritage. Clearly the objectives of the charitable company meet this purpose.
The 2011 Charities Act includes a requirement that all charities’ aims must be for the public benefit. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The trustees believe that The Trust benefits the public in a number of ways:
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Having a programme of continued repairs and maintenance to ensure that the boats are maintained in a satisfactory condition to enable them to be shown off to the public at events.
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Enabling the public to visit the boats at events to learn about how the boats operate and the working lives of people who operated working boats in the days before transport by canal was superseded by rail and road.
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Carrying on with its commercial carrying activities, thereby preserving the trading activities of the canal network and also enabling the public to see historic working boats throughout the canal network.
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Seeking new members to join the Trust so that they can crew the boats if they wish to, thereby gaining a better understanding of how historic working boats are operated.
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Keeping membership subscriptions at modest levels so that the cost of joining the Trust should not be a bar to membership. Adult subscriptions are currently £22, £33 for a family, £12 for seniors over 60, or the unemployed. Life membership is available for £275.
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Achievements and performance
Our first trip with Nuneaton and Brighton, following a very successful work party, was a run to Ellesmere Port for the Easter Gathering which took place on 7[th] to 10[th] April this year. The event started with a parade of boats from Chester to the Port where people were shown around the boats and told about the NBT. The run back to Alvecote was completed and the next event attended was the Rickmansworth Festival over 20[th] and 21[st] May and again we had a lot of interest from the public.
After the run back to Braunston we had our Summer Social in Braunston on 17[th] June, which was very well attended, and during the meal and drinks at the Boat House, we were able to thank Peter Lovett’s family for the generous legacy he left us, which will go a long way to paying for the work required on Brighton. They were presented with a large photograph of Peter on the boats with other NBT members. The Braunston Historic Boat Rally followed on 24[th] and 25[th] June which was as busy as ever and saw our boats join the parade. Nuneaton & Brighton also attended the IWA Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign event in Birmingham over the weekend of 12 and 13 August. Following this we attended the Historic Boat Gathering at Alvecote over 25[th] to 28[th] August.
During September and October, after initial loading at Braunston Marina, approximately 36 tonnes of solid fuel were delivered by volunteer crews to customers on the Grand Union canal and on the Rivers Thames, Kennet and Wey, returning via the Oxford Canal.
Over the course of the year, a total of 393 volunteer days were contributed by 28 members on work parties and crewing, for which grateful thanks is given. Thanks are also extended to those who are unable to be involved but support the Trust through membership and donations.
The work of trustees and officers included the management of the trust by the council of trustees, bookkeeping and preparation of report and accounts, management of boats and maintenance, membership record-keeping, securing sales orders, coordination of volunteers and crewing, communication, publicity, and fundraising. Substantial time in the order of around 200 days was devoted during the year to ensuring the good governance of the Trust, and its ability to fulfil its aims efficiently and effectively.
Overall, the Trust provided benefits by maintaining and enhancing both boats, providing opportunities to the public to visit and learn about the boats and canal carrying, and upholding the aims of the Trust by continuing the carriage of goods on inland waterways.
Financial Review
The operations of the Trust produced a surplus of £24,369 this year (2023 surplus of £2,534). However, this is almost entirely the result of the very generous legacy of £25,000 from Peter Lovett which is intended to be spent on works to Brighton.
The net result for the year excluding the legacy was a small loss of £631. However, this was as expected following several non-recurring items of expenditure such as the Braunston presentation to the Lovett family; a plaque for Nuneaton recording the previous legacy from John Stevens; a new tent for Nuneaton; a defibrillator; and additional printing and distribution costs of The Steerer.
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Tonnage (36.3 tonnes) carried on the single coal run was 3% down on the previous year and profit down 8% as we were not able to increase prices as we might have wished as a result of economic conditions.
Subscription income increased slightly on the previous year as did Gift Aid recovery. There were no new life members but interest receivable increased substantially. We are very grateful for all other donations received during the year.
All current reserves are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees/Council of Management, and we aim to maintain those reserves at a level which will enable the Trust to pay for any unexpected repairs so that the activities of the Trust can be maintained.
In accordance with the accounting policy that has been adopted for many years, Nuneaton and Brighton are included in the balance sheet at cost less depreciation and both Nuneaton and Brighton have had a book value of £1 each since 31[st] March 2017. The Council of Management have considered including the boats at valuation in the balance sheet but have decided against doing so on the grounds of the cost of obtaining formal valuations that could be used for accounting purposes. However, the boats were revalued in 2021 at £87,000 for insurance purposes and this is considered to be appropriate.
Structure, governance and management
The company is limited by guarantee. There is no share capital and the liability of each member is limited to £1. The company is also a registered charity.
The Narrow Boat Trust was formed in 1970 and was reconstituted as a company limited by guarantee in April 1983. The company registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in March 1984.
The objects and powers of the company are set out in its Memorandum of Association and it is governed by the Articles of Association. The activities of the Trust are managed by the Trust's Council of Management which presently consists of 4 members.
The following Trust members, who are also trustees and directors, served on The Council of Management during the year:
| during the year: | |
|---|---|
| Howard Williams | Chair and Maintenance Manager (resigned 27/01/2024) |
| Kirk Martin | Chair (from 27/01 2024) |
| Charlotte Fleming | Company Secretary |
| Henry Rayment | Treasurer |
| Richard Greenhall | appointed 26/04/2023 – Maintenance Manager since 27/01/2024 |
| Nick Lake | (resigned 24/08/2023) . |
| The Trust also has members who undertake specific roles: | |
| John Fevyer | Coal run Coordinator |
| Ian Johnson | Membership Secretary |
| Barry Adams | Crewing Coordinator |
| Trevor Winterbottom | Webmaster |
All Trustees/members of The Council of Management give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Company law requires the Council of Management to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and the application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Council of Management should follow best practice and:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is not appropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basis.
The Council of Management is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
The Council of Management also has a responsibility to identify and review the risks to which the charitable company is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to reduce the risk of fraud, error or unsafe acts.
The Council of Management considers that the charitable company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477(1) of the Companies Act 2006.
Members have not required the charitable company under section 476(1) of the Companies Act 2006 to obtain an audit for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Approved by the Trustees/Council of Management on 7[th] August 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Charlotte Fleming Secretary
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of
The Narrow Boat Trust Charitable Company ("the Company")
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act')
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than the requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
(4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Caron Webster 15 Hewley Drive, West Ayton, Scarborough N.Yorkshire, YO13 9JL
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For year ending 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |||
| un-restricted | un-restricted | |||
| funds | funds | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Incoming resources | ||||
| Coal sales | 25,981 | 26,340 | ||
| Subscriptions | 2,021 | 1,920 | ||
| Donations | 26,093 | 1,731 | ||
| Gift aid | 521 | 458 | ||
| Interest receivable | 460 | 30 | ||
| Sundry Income |
20 | 0 | ||
| Total incoming resources | 55,096 | 30,479 | ||
| Resources expended | ||||
| Coal purchases | 21,110 | 20,998 |
||
| Repairs and maintenance | 1,724 | 418 | ||
| Boat running costs | 1,414 | 2,077 |
||
| Hire of Motors | 0 | 0 | ||
| Tolls and licences | 849 | 705 | ||
| Insurance | 1,822 | 1,778 |
||
| Travel costs | 0 | 0 | ||
| Training | 0 | 580 | ||
| Independent examination of accounts | 100 | 100 | ||
| Postage and stationery | 0 | 0 | ||
| Steerer printing and postage | 610 | 397 | ||
| Web site | 0 | 0 | ||
| IWA, CBOA, Zoom & Mojo subscriptions | 321 | 306 | ||
| Sundry expenses | 2,777 | 586 | ||
| Total resources expended | 30,727 | 27,945 |
||
| Net movement in funds | 24,369 | 2,534 |
||
| Balance transferred to unrestricted funds | 24,369 | 2,534 |
||
| Balance funds brought forward | 14,880 | 12,346 |
||
| Balance unrestricted funds carried forward | 39,249 | 14,880 |
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these financial statements
`
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited Company Number 1724935 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
Fixed assets Notes Tangible assets 5 Current Assets Stock 6 Debtors and prepayments 7 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Provision for liabilities 9 Net assets Financed by: The funds of the Charity Funds brought forward Surplus/(Deficit) for the year Unrestricted funds carried forward Accumulated funds |
2024 £ 0 2,249 37,820 40.069 0 14,880 24,369 39,249 |
£ |
2 40,069 40,071 (822) |
2023 £ £ 2 0 1,636 14,222 15,858 0 12,346 2,534 14,880 |
2023 £ £ 2 0 1,636 14,222 15,858 0 12,346 2,534 14,880 |
15,858 15,860 (980) 14,880 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39,249 | ||||||
| 39,249 | 14,880 |
The directors consider that the charitable company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477(1) of the Companies Act 2006.
Members have not required the company, under section 476(1) of the Companies Act 2006, to obtain an audit for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at 31 March 2024 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of section 394, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and were approved by the Council of Management on 7[th] August 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Henry Rayment, Treasurer
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Notes to the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies are summarized below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year
1.1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in
accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015), the Companies Act 2006, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United
Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.
1.2 Fund Accounting
All funds are unrestricted and are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
1.3 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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Coal sales exclude VAT and are recognized after the coal has been delivered.
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Annual subscriptions and one off donations are included on a cash received basis. Life subscriptions are amortized over a period of 10 years.
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Gift aid is recognized on a cash received basis due to the fact that the amount of gift aid receivable is uncertain until the claim had been prepared and submitted to HMRC for each year.
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1.4 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognized on an accruals basis as the liability is incurred.
1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Narrow Boats - 5% per annum straight line basis
1.6 Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value.
2 Staff costs
No staff were employed during the year. (2023 nil)
3 Trustee remuneration and related party transactions
No trustee received any remuneration during the year.
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
The Narrow Boat Trust Limited
Notes to the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024
4 Taxation
As a charity the company is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.
5 Tangible fixed assets
| Narrow Boats | Narrow Boats | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | Nuneaton | Total | ||
| Cost | £ | £ | £ | |
| As at 1 April 2023 | 7,739 | 9,428 | 17,167 | |
| Additions | ||||
| As at 31 March 2024 | 7,739 | 9,428 | 17,167 | |
| Depreciation | ||||
| As at 1 April 2023 | 7,738 | 9,427 | 17,165 | |
| Charge for the year | ||||
| As at 31 March 2024 | 7,738 | 9,427 | 17,165 | |
| Net book value | ||||
| At 31 March 2023 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
6 Stock
| Coal for re-sale 7 Debtors and Prepayments VAT Prepayments Coal sales debtors 8 Creditors : Amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors Accruals 9 Provisions for liabilities Balance of life membership subscriptions |
2024 2023 £ £ 0 0 35 40 2,214 1,596 0 0 2,249 1,636 0 0 0 0 0 0 822 980 |
|---|---|
10 Company limited by guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. At 31 March 2024 129 members (family members are counted as one member) had guaranteed £1 each in the event of the winding up of the company.